Skip to main content

Stabilising the leaning tower of Pisa

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment volume 57, pages 91–99 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

 The 56-m high "leaning tower" of Pisa was constructed in three phases between 1173 and 1370 on the alluvial sediments of the River Arno, central west Italy. Although the tower deviated from the vertical at an early stage, the continuing tilt has led to concern about its safety. Having reviewed the construction of the tower and the underlying geology, the paper discusses the history of the tilting and describes the temporary remedial measures undertaken and permanent stabilization proposed.

Résumé

La Tour penchée de Pise, de 56 m de hauteur, a été construite en trois phases de 1173 à 1370, sur les alluvions de la rivière Arno, dans le Centre-Ouest de l'Italie. Bien que la tour ait commencéà basculer très tôt, la poursuite de l'inclinaison dans le temps a conduit à se poser des problèmes de sécurité. Après avoir examiné les méthodes de constuction de la tour et présenté les terrains de fondation, l'article rappelle l'histoire du basculement de la tour, décrit les mesures conservatoires provisoires et propose des méthodes pour sa stabilisation permanente.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Imperial College, London SW7 2BU, UK. E-mail: j.burland@ic.ac.uk, , , , , , GB

    J. B. Burland

  2. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Strutturale, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, I-10129 Turin, Italy. E-mail: jam.geotecnico@galactica.it, , , , , , IT

    M. Jamiolkowski

  3. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Geotecnica, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Claudio 21, I-80125 Naples, Italy. E-mail: viggiani@unina.it, , , , , , IT

    C. Viggiani

Authors
  1. J. B. Burland
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Jamiolkowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. Viggiani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Received: 22 December 1997 · Accepted: 22 January 1998

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Burland, J., Jamiolkowski, M. & Viggiani, C. Stabilising the leaning tower of Pisa. Bull Eng Geol Env 57, 91–99 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s100640050025

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s100640050025

  • Key words Pisa
  • Stabilisation
  • Alluvium
  • Foundations